Olympic team invites 39 trialists; do-or-die Caribbean group awaits

Recent Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team call-ups Shannon Gomez, Neveal Hackshaw, Jomal Williams and Akeem Garcia were all included in a 39-player shortlist for the National Olympic team, which began training yesterday morning at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago teenagers Neveal Hackshaw (centre) and Shannon Gomez (left) track down Panama playmaker Anibal Godoy during international action at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago teenagers Neveal Hackshaw (centre) and Shannon Gomez (left) track down Panama playmaker Anibal Godoy during international action at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

The team will be coached by Yugoslavia-born Zoran Vranes, who recently led Central FC’s Pro League squad and helped Trinidad and Tobago to its last FIFA appearance at the Egypt 2009 Under-20 World Cup.

Trinidad and Tobago starts its Olympic campaign against Suriname on June 24 and there is a possibility that the young “Soca Warriors” could face a squad packed with Netherlands-based professionals. The Suriname Football Association is attempting to get its Parliament to allow dual citizenship for its Dutch expats in time for the senior Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Puerto Rico will not be an easy opponent either on its own turf. And only one team will advance from the group.

Vranes told Wired868, on Tuesday, that he was misinformed about the Olympic team’s fixtures and might have declined the offer to coach if he was properly advised. However, he is optimistic about the challenge ahead.

Photo: Zoran Vranes will lead the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Team. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Zoran Vranes will lead the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Team.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

“It’s not going to be an easy ride at all,” Vranes told the TTFA Media. “Only one team will come out of our group and we are playing away from home. Okay, we know all of these teams from the past but football is always played on the day.

“Our players have the experience and the capability to beat these teams. They will have to focus from the start and take that through to the entire campaign.

“Qualifying for the Olympic Games is a great achievement and every country wants to be there. This is like a World Cup because the football tournament at the Olympics has a lot of significance as well.”

Shiva Boys Hindu College winger Levi Garcia, who is due to sign for Netherlands top flight club AZ in November, is also on the Olympic shortlist, which is comprised mostly of Pro League talent and also features six overseas-based players.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago winger Levi Garcia (centre) steams past Cuba players Yendri Torres (right) and Roberto Peraza during the Under-20 Caribbean Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago winger Levi Garcia (centre) steams past Cuba players Yendri Torres (right) and Roberto Peraza during the Under-20 Caribbean Cup in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Apart from Garcia—who is attached to Central FC but has opted to train alone until he heads for Europe—St Anthony’s College playmaker Matthew Woo Ling and former Club Sando winger Keeshun Seecharan are the only local-based recruits who do not currently play in the Pro League.

Ten of the selected Under-23 players are attached to defending champions DIRECTV W Connection including speedy winged attacker Neil Benjamin Jr, utility player Alvin Jones and the Naparima College duo of Martieon Watson and Jabari Mitchell.

Four notable omissions were Club Sando midfielder Akeem Humphrey, Dallas FC youth goalkeeper Johan Welch, Defence Force winger Akeem Roach, St Ann’s Rangers forward Nicholas Dillon and United States-based midfielder Andre Fortune Jr. However, there is believed to be some flexibility towards squad additions in the next few weeks.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Johan Welch celebrates during the "Soca Warriors" 2-2 draw with Jamaica at the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship at Kingston. (Courtesy CONCACAF)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Johan Welch celebrates during the “Soca Warriors” 2-2 draw with Jamaica at the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship at Kingston.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)

Welch was the undisputed first choice custodian for the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 and Under-17 Teams although his performances were far from spotless. Dillon and Fortune both played at the Caribbean stage of the Under-20s ultimately unsuccessful World Cup campaign while Roach is considered one of the Pro League’s more promising young players.

Humphrey, whose rugged, athletic performances were key assets for the last National Under-20 Team, is either a baffling omission or an oversight.

The Olympic squad trialists are as follows:

Goalkeepers: Greg Ranjitsingh (Mercer University—US), Montell Joseph (Unattached—England), Javon Sample (Central FC), Christopher Biggette (St Ann’s Rangers), Aaron Enill (San Juan Jabloteh);

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago right back Alvin Jones (left) drives the ball into the opposing penalty area while St Lucia player Romiel Felix looks on during the 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifying stage. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago right back Alvin Jones (left) drives the ball into the opposing penalty area while St Lucia player Romiel Felix looks on during the 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifying stage.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Defenders: Dario Holmes, Josiah Trimmingham, Caleb Sturge (all San Juan Jabloteh), Alvin Jones, Shannon Gomez, Maurice Ford, Martieon Watson, Triston Hodge (all W Connection), Leland Archer (University of Charleston—US), Jesus Perez (North East Stars), Glen Sutton (Point Fortin Civic), Jelani Peters (St Ann’s Rangers);

Midfielders: Brendon Creed (Temple University—US), Kion Joseph, Neveal Hackshaw (both North East Stars), Kevon Goddard (St Ann’s Rangers), Keane McIvor (Robert Morris University—US), Akeem Redhead (Point Fortin Civic);

Attacking midfielders: Jabari Mitchell, Jomal Williams, Akeem Garcia, Aikim Andrews (all W Connection), Levi Garcia (Shiva Boys HC), Kishun Seecharan (Unattached), Jelani Felix (Defence Force), Duane Muckette (North East Stars), Matthew Woo Ling (St Anthony’s College), Nathaniel Garcia (Central FC);

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 midfielder Duane Muckette (left) tries to take the ball under pressure from Guatemala midfielder Andy Ruiz during the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in Jamaica. (Courtesy CONCACAF)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 midfielder Duane Muckette (left) tries to take the ball under pressure from Guatemala midfielder Andy Ruiz during the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in Jamaica.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)

Forwards: Ricardo John (Virginia Tech—US), Brent Sam (San Juan Jabloteh), Kadeem Corbin (St Ann’s Rangers), Neil Benjamin Jr (W Connection), Shackiel Henry (Point Fortin Civic), Dwight Quintero (Central FC).

 

2016 Olympic Games preliminary qualifying group

(June 24)

Trinidad and Tobago v Suriname in Puerto Rico;

Puerto Rico v Dominica/St Vincent and the Grenadines in Puerto Rico;

(June 26)

Trinidad and Tobago v Dominica/St Vincent and the Grenadines in Puerto Rico;

Puerto Rico v Suriname in Puerto Rico;

(June 28)

Suriname v Dominica/St Vincent and the Grenadines in Puerto Rico;

Puerto Rico v Trinidad and Tobago in Puerto Rico.

More from Wired868
Haynes notes “defensive frailties” and offensive bluntness, as U20s lose to makeshift senior team

The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 team got a lesson in humility at the Larry Gomes Stadium yesterday, as Read more

Moore and Jones strike as Eve’s Warriors take big scalp, but USA march on

The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team took their biggest scalp to date under head coach Angus Eve tonight, Read more

Justin Garcia, Jem Gordon snare top TTPFL prizes

Defence Force central defender Justin “Shiggy” Garcia was named the Player of the Season for the inaugural TT Premier Football Read more

Haynes: I’m a “possession-oriented coach”; TTFA unveils new Men’s U-20 coach

Former Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team attacker Brian Haynes will serve as the head coach of the Men’s Read more

Eve: We usually defend properly; T&T coach explains Curaçao defeat, praises CNL campaign

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve blamed a combination of tired legs, astroturf, TTPFL inactivity Read more

“Natty” to the rescue again, as T&T come from behind to down Guatemala 3-2

Trinidad and Tobago moved within touching distance of the Concacaf Nations League A quarterfinals last night, after a rousing 3-2 Read more

About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

Check Also

Haynes notes “defensive frailties” and offensive bluntness, as U20s lose to makeshift senior team

The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 team got a lesson in humility at the …

60 comments

  1. I’m trying to find an answer for you Arthlon Dcoach. The team manager is abroad.

  2. You think Bonval is ready for this level Adrian Romain? He is a nice prospect for down the road though. How old is he?

  3. That’s my point Roneil K Walcott…then why they keep calling him up for National duty ?

  4. Don’t think I agree with you Kirwin. He should’ve featured in more cup games at least if that was the case.

  5. Prince if the man on the bench for his club right through and they keep calling him up for a national squad…he’s got to be good. Not so ?

  6. All yuh say so but he in the national team

  7. Sample must be a wonderful young fellah… But a not so wonderful keeper. Lol. Come on Sample. Show us what you’re made of! 😉

  8. The GKs puzzling me as well. I know GKs need to wait on the moment to get into the squad. But I think Sample is a National GK playing second fiddle…he’s just dormant. They always calling him but no game, he’s not even playing for his club. That means, they are aware of his potential.

  9. Teflon Shawn, if Derek King was coach then I’d understand that. If it is a new coach, I’d think he would want to see for himself from close quarters why Welch was number one for three years.
    But I agree that his CV has not been inspiring.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.